Summary

In Chapter 31, Mama gave Sami money for his history trip. He felt guilty, but planned to use it “to get to the airport” (220).

In Mr. Williams’ class, Ali invited Sami to sit next to him. However, in English class, Ali went to the back of the room and sat with his friends. Sami sat up front alone. When Mrs. Palfrey invited him to read aloud, Nathan jeered. Instead of backing down, Sami read aloud the way he had been taught “back in Damascus” (223). After class, Ali met up with Sami, asking where he was from. In their next class, Ali sat with him. He seemed genuinely kind.

In the bathroom, Nathan threw an egg at Sami, calling his people evil terrorists (225). Ali defended Sami. Sami wanted to “run out of school and [board] the first plane to Syria,” but “didn’t know...